A Birthday Luncheon

Sister-in-law Ann hosted a birthday luncheon for her Mother, Pat in December. She used her Lenox plates which was her wedding china. Layering the plates on gold chargers created a formal setting, but she then used a casual tablecloth in orange with burlap runner to create a more casual feel. She used orange Gerbera Daisies for the centerpieces, as well as tangerines in the jars. Her silver is Royal Danish by International Silver. So beautiful!

Notice how the napkins match the pattern! Ann has 24 plates in the "Autumn" pattern. Gump's sold them in the 1950's for $5 each. Her grandfather drove over 50 miles to San Francisco once a month to buy one plate at a time for her grandmother! When Ann married, she registered this pattern and added the rest of the pieces.

The Birthday Girl!

Lunch is served!

Hazel asking nicely if she can have some birthday cake! Apple Cake with Butter Rum Sauce!

Hmmmmm! Good! Only the finest china for Hazel!

Recipe as follows:

Apple Rum Cake with Butter Rum Sauce

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/8 tsp. salt

4 T. butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

2 cups grated unpeeled Granny Smith apples

Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside. Cream together the butter, sugar and egg until light and fluffy. Add apples and blend with the dry ingredients.

Pour into a greased 8 inch square pan.

Bake 400 for 30-35 minutes

Cut into squares and serve warm with the Butter Rum Sauce

Butter Rum Sauce

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup half & half

dash of ground nutmeg

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3 T. rum

Combine butter, sugar and half & half. Cook to boiling, stirring constantly. Lower to medium and continue to stir until thickened, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly, then add nutmeg, vanilla and rum. Server warm over cake

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I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for "Tablescape Thursday." Be sure to check out all the other wonderful tablescapes.

I'm also joining the potluck party, "Foodie Friday" at Designs by Gollum. Check out all the other dishes at the potluck.